Song of the Brokenhearted by Sheila Walsh & Cindy Martinusen Coloma

Ava is one of those women who seems to have it “all” – the loving successful husband and family, beautiful home with hired help to care for it, even a flourishing ministry outreach. She’s well-liked by most, but underneath all the gloss, she has a secret, and she’s afraid. When the time of testing comes, Ava clings to her faith in the God she loves, as her “perfect life” appears to unravel.

The Song of the Brokenhearted explores the story of Job in the setting of an upscale American suburb. I found myself very engrossed in the story of Ava and her family, as unexpected surprises continued to appear throughout the book. It was gratifying to see her emerge from the time of testing with her family intact and her faith strengthened.

I’ve “known” and loved Sheila Walsh as a Women of Faith® speaker for over a dozen years. I’ve heard her personal testimonies and her honesty, and when she crafts a story about the broken-hearted, she knows whereof she speaks. While in no way a biography, this story portrays accurate reactions and emotions in an endearing manner. We may not all have the material blessings of Ava and her family, but we can all relate to a life where blessings mix with disappointments, or where a smile may mask experiences we’d rather keep hidden. And perhaps, like Ava, through reading her story, we can release the hurt and embrace the truth.

(I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for my fair and honest review.)